The man who helped bring down Barings Bank in 1995 through
illegal financial dealings has been appointed Galway United
Football Club's chief executive.
Nick Leeson served more than three-and-a-half years in a Singapore
jail after being convicted of fraud.
He has rebuilt his life on the west coast of Ireland, and became
Galway United's general manager in 2005.
In a statement on the club's website Chairman John Fallon said Mr
Leeson had "been a wonderful addition".
Leeson's activities as a "rogue trader" in the currency market
triggered Barings' collapse and its assets were subsequently sold
for just £1 to Dutch bank ING.
His experiences were dramatised in a film starring Ewan McGregor.
In March of this year, Mr Leeson revealed he had started to deal in
currencies again, using his own money.
Galway United - founded as Galway Rovers in 1937 - was promoted to
Ireland's Eircom League Premier Division this season, and currently
ranks third from bottom of the table.
Mr Fallon said the new CEO - originally from Watford in
Hertfordshire - had "driven the club forward over the past few
years".
In a statement on the club's website the new chief said a lot of
hard work had taken place at the club but there was "still a lot to
do".
"But the club is heading in the right direction and I am looking
forward to being part of that development," Mr Leeson said.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6918412.stm
Brought down the Queen's bank, convicted of fraud, now CEO of a
football club.
Some guys have all the luck.